FINISHED KNIT No. 2 + Giveaway WINNERS!!

 

I might be now 100 years old, but I've finally finished my second knitted garment.

Let me introduce to you the 'It cannot fail to please' sweater/jumper by Susan Crawford. It's a reproduction of a stunning original knit pattern from 1938.

I'll always be a sewing girl at heart, but goodness gracious I am loving this knitting thing! There is something truly harmonious about wearing something where you have actually made the fabric, and it has taken you more than 80 hours!

It's not something that you just chuck on over your head when you want to wear it, you almost need a freaking ceremony. Or at least someone to throw rose petals at you while you get dressed.

My poor husband.

Pattern Details

It cannot fail to please by Susan Crawford.

Originally from 1938.

This bad boy is sewn with with U.S. size 1 and 3 needles so it takes a loooooooong time, but small stitches just look so neat and pretty don't you think?

Yarn

4 ply Rowan wool in Raspberry (8 skeins).

Size and Fit

I made this in the medium size and dang it, it's a little bit too big! Not noticeably, but enough to annoy me. Since knitting my first ever cardigan the Miette, I've come to realise that I'm a loose knitter. That and I really need to swatch better.

I used slightly more yarn than the pattern said I would need and after I wet blocked I realised that the sweater is just a bit too big. The shoulders are too long, and it's a little bit boxier than I would have liked around the midriff. This pattern would look better on a smaller bust (not much I can do there) but overall I still think it looks pretty great!

Changes

The only change I made was to make the sleeves in a small size as I have pretty thin arms and the sleeves are quite full.

Wet-blocking

This was my first time wet-blocking and I can now completely understand why people were harping on about it's merits! It completely relaxes the seams, sets the stitches and makes your knitting look so much better! Check out this before and after:

You can see this pic and more on my Instagram

See how much flatter and even the pattern is? Genius!

Ravelry

If you are on Ravelry, you can check out more details about my sweater here.

Love

I am in love with the beautiful leaf pattern of this garment. I finished making this top a few months ago and at the time I was so glad to be done with it. Now I miss knitting the repetitive leaf pattern. It's just so pretty and classic looking don't you think? I'm also a lover of all things vintage so I was naturally drawn to this pattern from 1938.

I love the the puffy sleeves and the square shape of the neckline. Looks so pretty with a brooch or a flower!

Styling

I teamed the sweater with my black pencil skirt, a gold brooch and raspberry heels. Oh and red lipstick too of course!

Even though the fit isn't 100% I'm really proud of how it turned out and I'm in love with the style! Susan Crawford has quite a few patterns from this era and I already have about ten that I want to make! Though it's from a different era, I feel like it's the type of sweater that Joan from Mad Men would appreciate, don't you think?

GIVEAWAY WINNERS:

Thanks to everyone who commented on my Billie Jean Dress post. These three lucky winners were randomly selected and have each won a fabulous vintage brooch curtesy of Ruemiraldi!

SewDiane from Sew Far Sew Good
Nat from Sew Outnumbered
Debra from The Vintage Counterfeiter

Congratulations ladies! I'll be in touch with you shortly via email to organise delivery.

Here's a little cuteness for you on your weekend; a dress I made for a dear friend's beautiful 4year old daughter. A self drafted, fully lined dress with a tule underskirt for a perfect little Snow White. Is she not the loveliest thing you've ever seen?

Happy sewing everyone, and May the Fourth be with you :)